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Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
In March of 2003 President George W. Bush issued an Executive Order that created The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. These US military medals recognize service personnel who have performed supporting roles within the US including any administrative, logistics, planning, operational, technical, or readiness activity which provides support to an operation for troops deployed overseas and involved in direct service in the War on Terrorism after September 11, 2001. By 2007 this broad definition resulted in virtually everyone in military service receiving one or the other of these two Global War on Terrorism Medals. These military medals were also given to reservists who completed three months of reserve duty in good standing. To receive these military decorations, service members must complete either 30 consecutive days, or 60 cumulative days, of active duty. The time requirement is waived for all personnel who engage in combat, or are wounded or killed in action. With this broad definition of "support duty", the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal has essentially become almost the same type of award as the National Defense Service Medal and graduates of training schools, ROTC, and Service Academies are typically presented both awards at the same time. The primary difference between the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal is that the National Defense Service Medal is automatic as soon as a person joins the military whereas the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal may only be presented after thirty days of duty (or three months in the case of the reserves.The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal was created at the same time as the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. The primary difference between the two awards is that the expeditionary medals recognize those who were deployed to foreign countries, while the service medals are medals of America which are intended to honor those who performed support duty within the United States. It is possible to earn both medals, but not for duty during the same period of time.
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal is only given one time. However, under extremely rare circumstances, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may award a Battle Star for extremely dangerous combat duty involving a high threat of death. These military awards are worn below the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and are worn above the Korean Defense Medal in the general order of precedence which has been established for all military ribbons and medals. These military awards can be worn as traditional full size military medals and mini medals, military ribbons, and lapel pins. Like most military medals, it is available as traditional slide-on, full size military medals or mini-medals, and slide-on military ribbons; or the newer thin mini-medals, and mounted military ribbons that have become so very popular among up and coming military personnel who know how important it is to their career advancement to always maximize the neatness and smartness of their uniform appearance.
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